MX2011004376A

MX2011004376A - Adjustment mechanism for dish antenna system.

Info

Publication number: MX2011004376A
Application number: MX2011004376A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Jason Matthew Fruh; Morgan Haden Kirby
Original assignee: Echostar Technologies Llc
Priority date: 2008-11-26
Filing date: 2009-11-24
Publication date: 2011-05-25
Also published as: WO2010062915A1; US7880682B2; TW201042813A; EP2361448A1; US8274441B2; CA2744438A1; CA2744438C; TWI416794B; US20110102295A1; US20100127947A1; EP2361448B1

Abstract

Antenna systems include adjustment mechanisms to adjust the position of dish antennas. The adjustment mechanism includes a clip, a bracket, and a cam mechanism. The clip is fixedly coupled to and projects outwardly from a mast. The bracket is pivotally coupled to the mast and is between the stationary clip and cam mechanism. The cam mechanism is pivotally coupled to the clip and positioned to rotate the bracket and the dish antenna as the cam mechanism rotates. The clip is made of a lightweight material to reduce the overall weight of the antenna system to enhance performance.

Description

ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM FOR A DISC ANTENNA SYSTEM DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present disclosure relates generally to adjustment mechanisms for antennas and, more particularly, to adjustment mechanisms for disk antenna systems.

Satellite dish antennas are commonly used in television reception systems. A satellite dish antenna often has a disk-shaped receiver that collects and concentrates incoming transmissions transmitted by a satellite. A parabolic surface of the disc-shaped receiver may reflect the transmissions to a waveguide, such as a feeding horn. Satellite dish antennas can be mounted on ceilings, walls, residential structures, commercial buildings, or the like.

The satellite disk antennas can be highly directional antennas that are directed to a desired broadcasting satellite in order to properly receive a transmission. There must be a clear visual field between the satellite dish antenna and the satellite. The direction is usually made by adjusting an azimuthal angle and an elevation angle using a complicated mechanical transmission mechanism that drives the disc receiver to a desired position. Conventional satellite dish antennas often have relatively heavy metal transmission mechanisms and can therefore contribute to fatigue problems, especially when the satellite dish antenna is exposed to a cyclic load, for example, during harsh weather conditions , such as during gales. The metal components of the drive mechanism are often susceptible to corrosion and other types of damage associated with outdoor use. For example, rainwater can accumulate in the transmission mechanism and can cause oxidation. If the transmission mechanism has internal components that are completely surrounded by a protection housing, a user may be unable to see these internal components to monitor the operation of the transmission mechanism. Therefore, it can be difficult to identify the cause of a malfunction.

Some embodiments described herein are generally directed to an adjustment mechanism for positioning an antenna. The adjustment mechanism includes a clamp for coupling to a post and for coupling a cam mechanism. The cam mechanism is capable of being operated to adjust the position of the antenna. In some embodiments, the adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust the position of the antenna disk within a desired range of travel. Tuning can be done based on a position of a transmitter, such as a satellite, that sends signals to be received.

In certain embodiments, an adjustment mechanism is used for a fine tuning of an antenna system along an azimuth plane or other plane, such as a plane of elevation. A stationary clamp of the adjustment mechanism is fixedly attached to a stationary post, such as a tubular post. The clamp and a support structure of the adjusting mechanism retain a rotating cam mechanism. The clamp translationally fixes the cam mechanism to the post. The cam mechanism, in some embodiments, has a cam positioned within a window of a fastener so that the fastener rotates around the post as the cam mechanism rotates. The fastener can be interposed between the clamp and the support structure.

In some embodiments, an adjustment mechanism system includes a pole clamp. The pole clamp has two elongated members that slide over a post when a fastener is installed in the post. The elongated members are fixedly attached to the post. A threaded shaft of a cam mechanism extends through the pole clamp. A bearing element of the cam mechanism makes contact with edges of a defined window in the support structure. As the cam mechanism rotates, the bearing element moves out of the center and pushes the edges of the window to rotate the support structure around the post. The pole clamp remains generally stationary with respect to the post as the cam mechanism rotates. The support structure, in some embodiments, supports a receiver and / or transmitter which rotates accordingly. The cam mechanism is used to fine-tune the position of a disk antenna to adjust the peak signal strength.

In some embodiments, an antenna system comprises a disk antenna, a pole, an azimuth adjustment mechanism, a clamp, a cam mechanism, and a fastener. In certain embodiments, the disk antenna includes a disk and a feed horn placed to communicate with the disk. The post has a top edge portion. The azimuth adjustment mechanism, in some embodiments, is adapted to move the disk antenna with respect to an azimuthal axis. In certain embodiments, the clamp engages a section of the upper edge portion of the post. The clamp protrudes radially outward from the post. The cam mechanism is rotatably coupled to the clamp. In certain embodiments, the fastener is rotatably coupled to the post and coupled to the cam mechanism and the disk antenna. The clamp and the disk antenna rotate with respect to the azimuth axis as the cam mechanism rotates.

In some embodiments, an antenna apparatus comprises a clamp. The clamp engages a cam and a portion of a mounting structure. A fastener of the antenna apparatus is rotatably coupled to a pole and adapted to engage the cam. In certain embodiments, the fastener is placed under the clamp and supports a communication component. In some modalities, the cam is an eccentric cam. In some embodiments, the clamp is fixedly attached to the portion of a mounting structure. The communication component can be a disk, a feeding horn, or both. The antenna apparatus may include a positioning apparatus with the holder and the cam.

In some embodiments, an apparatus comprises a fastener assembly, a cam mechanism, and a pole clamp. The fastener assembly includes a post mounting bracket and a disk mounting bracket. The cam mechanism physically engages the fastener assembly in order to move the fastener assembly about an axis of rotation to position a disk as the cam mechanism rotates about a cam rotation axis. The pole clamp is pivotally coupled to the cam mechanism. The pole clamp has a retainer adapted to receive and securely engage an upper edge of a post to generally secure the cam rotation shaft with respect to the post. In certain embodiments, the antenna apparatus includes a feeding horn. In certain embodiments, the pole clamp is pivotally coupled to an eccentric cam of a cam mechanism and fixedly attached to the pole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a graphical view of an antenna system having a positioning mechanism for adjusting position settings.

Figure 2 is a graphical view of a portion of the antenna system of Figure 1.

Figure 3A is a graphic view of a clamp and a fastener coupled to a post.

Figure 3B is a detailed view of a clamp retainer fixedly attached to the post.

Figure 4A is an exploded view of a portion of an antenna system of Figure 3A.

Figure 4B is a detailed view of a fastener of the antenna system of Figure 4A.

Figure 5A is a graphic view of a clamp fixedly attached to a post and rotatably connected to a cam mechanism.

Figures 5B and 5C are graphic views of a section of a fastener, a clamp, and a post.

Figure 6 is a graphic view of a clamp. Figure 7 is a bottom view of the clamp of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a plan view of the clamp of Figure 6.

Figure 9 is a graphic view of a cam mechanism.

Figure 10 is a side elevational view of the cam mechanism of Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a plan view of the cam mechanism of Figure 9.

Figures 12A-15 illustrate a method of operating the positioning mechanism of an antenna system.

Figures 16 and 17 are graphical views of a positioning mechanism of an alternative mode of an antenna system.

Figure 18 is a graphical view of a portion of an antenna system of an alternative embodiment.

Figure 1 shows an antenna system 100 including a disk antenna 104 and a support assembly 116 supporting the disk antenna 104. The disk antenna 104 includes a disk 110 and a waveguide 114, illustrated as a feed horn, positioned to communicate with the disk 110. The support assembly 116 includes a holding mechanism 120, an anchor fastener 124, and a post 130 extending between the holding mechanism 120 and the anchoring fastener 124. The clamping mechanism 120 connects the post 130 to the disk antenna 104. The illustrated fastening mechanism 120 includes a pole mounting portion 140 coupled to an upper end 142 of the pole 130 and an antenna mounting portion 150 that supports the disk antenna 104. The antenna mounting portion 150 is rotatably coupled to the pole mounting portion 140 to modify the elevation settings.

The disk 110 is configured to transmit signals to and / or receive signals from one or more communication systems, such as one or more satellites. The disk 110 can be a circular or oval parabolic dish that reflects signals from a source and concentrates the signals to the feed horn 114. The size, shape, and configuration of the disk 110 can be selected based on the type of signals to be received, position of the signal sources, configuration of the feeding horn 114, or the like.

An arm 170 extends outwardly away from the disk 110 and supports the feed horn 114 and a processing unit 172. The feeding horn 114 collects signals from the disk 110 and delivers these signals to a processing system of the antenna system 100. The processing system may include, without limitation, one or more processing units, converters, amplifiers, adapters, power devices, or the like. The converters can be low noise block down converters. The amplifiers can be low noise amplifiers. The processing units 172 may include, without limitation, a low noise block down converter, adapters, or the like.

The clamping mechanism 120 can be used to selectively adjust an elevation angle, an azimuth angle, or the like. A lifting adjustment mechanism 173 of the clamping mechanism 120 can be used to adjust the lifting angle. These types of mechanisms are well known in the art. The anchor fastener 124 can be coupled to a structure so that the illustrated X-axis and Z-axis correspond to a lifting axis and an azimuth axis, respectively. The clamping mechanism 120 is therefore capable of rotating the disk antenna 104 about the X axis to adjust the elevation angle and about the Z axis to adjust the azimuth angle.

With reference to Figure 2, the clamping mechanism 120 further includes a positioning mechanism 160 (illustrated as an azimuth adjustment mechanism) adapted to adjust the azimuth angle of the disk antenna 104. A user can operate the adjustment mechanism 160 to controllably rotate the clamping mechanism 120 with respect to the post 130.

With reference to Figures 3A, 3B, and 4A, the adjustment mechanism 160 generally includes a clamp 200, a clamp 202, and a cam mechanism 210 rotatably engaged to the clamp 200 and positioned to physically contact the clamp 200. fastener 202 so that the disk antenna 104 rotates about the azimuthal axis as the cam mechanism 210 rotates. The stationary clamp 200 is fixedly attached to the post 130 and can conveniently slide on and off the upper end 142 of the post 130 to reposition the clamp 200.

The fastener 202 is a multicomponent fastener that includes a first portion 202A and a second portion 202B. The first and second portions 202A, 202B form an upper face 214 and a cylindrical sleeve 218 extending downwardly along the upper end 142 of the post 130. The fastener 202 can be made complete or in parts, of one or more metals , non-metallic materials (e.g., plastic, composite, or similar materials), or other suitable rigid materials. The clamp 200 is placed on the face 214 and is between vertical side walls 215, 217 of the fastener 202. The clamp 200 illustrated is separated from the side walls 215, 217 so that a user can conveniently clamp the clamp 200.

The clamp 200 has a retainer 220 adapted to be fixedly coupled to a generally arcuate edge portion 230 of the upper end 142 of the post 130.

The fastener 202 includes a pusher 234 in the form of a continuous edge defining a window 235. The window 235 has a generally rectangular shape and a width greater than a diameter of a cam 250, although the window 235 may also have other shapes and appropriate configurations. An elongated slot 236 of the fastener 202 receives a projection 238 from the clamp 200.

Figure 4A shows the cam mechanism 210 which includes a shaft 240, the cam 250, and a support structure 260. When assembled, the cam 250 is placed in the window 235. The shaft 240 extends through an opening 270 in the clamp 200. A free end 219 of the clamp 200 is therefore rotatably coupled to the shaft 240. A nut 271 engages the shaft 240 to capture the window 235 of the fastener 202 between the clamp 200 and the support structure 260. The nut 271 can be pressed down to compress the fastener 202 between the clamp 200 and the support structure 260 to maintain the cam 250 in the window 235.

Figure 5A shows the clamp 200 coupled to the edge portion 230 in a cantilevered shape. Most of the clamp 200 projects outwardly beyond an outer surface 273 of the upper end 142. The retainer 220 has a first member 320 and a second member 322 that are on both sides of the edge portion 230, which is a segment of the tubular upper end 142. In some embodiments, the retainer 220 surrounds 10%, 20%, or 40% of the circumference of the upper end 142. The edge portion 230 can conveniently slide on the retainer 220 to produce an interference fit with members 320 and 322 of the retainer 220 to minimize, limit, or substantially eliminate relative movement between the clamp 200 and the post 130. In some embodiments, the interference fit keeps clamp 200 fixedly coupled to post 130 during alignment of disk 110.

With reference to Figures 4A-5C, the upper end 142 of the post 130 can be inserted into the sleeve 218 to place the edge portion 230 within an air gap 290 of the fastener 202. The air gap 290 is a cut-out providing access to the 230 upper portion. The retainer 220 is positioned in the upper portion 230 accessible via the air gap 290. A tongue 291 projecting inwardly (Figure 5B) rests on the upper portion 230 to allow the fastener 202 to rotate with respect to the post 130.

With reference to Figures 4A, 4B, 5B, and 5C, the air gap 290 is dimensioned to allow rotation of the fastener 202 while the clamp 200 remains fixedly coupled to the post 130. The illustrated air gap 290 has a length that is greater than the length of the first member 320 of the retainer 220. As shown in Figure 5C, the retainer 220 is visible from below the fastener 202, thereby allowing the evaluation of the position of the retainer 220 with respect to the air gap 290 and / or the post 130 Referring again to Figure 5A, a portion 343 of the clamp 200 extends outwardly from the upper end 142 and has a longitudinal length L. In some embodiments, a substantial portion of the portion 343 is positioned between the upper end 142 and the axis 240. For example, at least 40%, 60%, 80%, or 90% of the length L of the portion 343 may be between the axis 240 and the upper end 142. In some embodiments, including the illustrated embodiment of Figure 5A, most of the portion 343 is positioned between the retainer 220 and the spindle 240. The spindle 240 is therefore closer to the free end 219 of the clamp 200 that the upper end 142. The clamp 200 has a width W (see Figure 8) that is smaller than the inside diameter of a tubular post 130. Most or substantially all of the upper edge of the post 130 is directed under the clamp 200.

With reference to Figures 6-8, a main body 310 of the clamp 200 integrally connects to the retainer 220 and the projection 238. The main body 310 is a rigid and generally planar member defining the aperture 270, illustrated as a through hole. . The projection 238 is a cylindrical member that extends downwardly from the main body 310 and has a length sufficient to extend into the opening 236 of the fastener 202.

The retainer 220 includes the first member 320, the second member 322, and an elongated opening 330 defined by the first and second members 320, 322. The first member 320 and the second member 322 extend generally perpendicularly from a lower surface 311 of the main body 310. As shown in Figures 5B and 5C, the first member 320 is placed in the air gap 290.

The members 320, 322 may be arcuate tabs having curvatures that are generally similar to the curvature of the edge portion 230. The shape of the slot 330 can therefore be substantially similar to a shape of the edge portion 230. The members 320, 322 can be placed on the outer and inner sides, respectively, of a tubular side wall of the post 130.

The slot 330 of Figures 6-8 has a partially circular configuration with a radius of curvature that is generally equal to the radius of curvature of the edge portion 230. In some embodiments, the upper edge portion 230 may have a generally linear configuration.

For example, the upper end 142 may include an arcuate portion and a linear portion. The first and second members 320, 322 may be generally planar members for engaging the linear portion.

The illustrated clamp 200 has a one-piece construction to minimize, eliminate, or substantially prevent relative movement between features of the clamp 200. In some embodiments, the retainer 220 and the projection 238 can be formed integrally with the main body 310 using a process of molding, such as an injection molding process, a compression molding process, or the like. Different types of manufacturing processes can be used to manufacture the clamp 200. In some embodiments, the clamp 200 is a unitary clamp made of plastic when using a milling or machining process.

The clamp 200 can be made, in whole or in part, of a lightweight material to reduce the total weight of the antenna system 100, thereby improving performance, such as fatigue improvement. For example, reduction in weight can reduce loads applied to various components, including post 130, post mounting portion 140, or the like. The plastic material can be used to form at least 50% by weight of such light clamp 200. In some embodiments, the clamp 200 comprises at least about 60%, 80%, 90%, or 95% by weight of a plastic material. The plastic material can include, without limitation, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, acrylic, polyester, nylon, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the clamp 200 comprises primarily a first material by weight and the fastener 202 comprises mainly a second material by weight that is different from the first material. The first and second materials may be plastic and metal (e.g., steel or aluminum), respectively. The plastic clamp 200 can be used in relatively hostile environments without corrosion, in contrast to metal components of traditional antenna systems.

Figures 9-11 show the cam mechanism 210 including the shaft 240 extending upwardly away from the cam 250. The shaft 240 has external threads that engage internal threads of the nut 271. The cam 250 is placed between the shaft 240 and the support 260 support. As shown in Figure 11, the shaft 240 is mounted eccentrically on the cam 250, which has a generally circular profile as seen from above. Support support 260 is between cam 250 and a knob 331.

Figures 12A-15 illustrate a method using the adjustment mechanism 160 with the stationary clamp 200 to move the fastener 202 to adjust the azimuthal position of the disc 110. Many components of the fastener 202 have been removed for reasons of clarity. The cam 250 in the window 235 can be manually rotated to move the disk 110. The disk 110 rotates about an azimuth shaft 400 as the cam 250 rotates eccentrically about a rotation shaft 335 to drive the disk disk antenna 104. and return. After the disk 110 is in the desired position, a nut (shown removed in Figures 12A-15) is rotated to lock the fastener 202 between the support 260 and the bracket 200. In this way, the antenna 104 The disk is fixed with respect to the post 130. The nut can be loosened to reposition the disk antenna 104, if needed or desired.

Figure 12A is a plan view of the adjustment mechanism 160. The cam mechanism 210 is rotated counterclockwise to move the fastener 202 carrying the disk antenna 104 counterclockwise about the azimuth axis 400. A user manually rotates the knob 331 positioned below the clip 202 to rotate the cam 250 in the counterclockwise direction, as indicated by the arrow 350. Figure 12A shows the cam 250 positioned in the window 235. The cam 250 pushes fastener 202 counterclockwise. As the clip 202 rotates, the projection 238 travels along the slot 236 to ensure that the clip 202 rotates smoothly around the post 230. The cam 250 can project laterally outwards from the clamp 200. When a user adjusts the front disk position 104, the user can therefore visually inspect the movement of the cam 250. In the illustrated embodiment, a portion of the cam 250 is visible from above when the fastener 202 is near or in the initial position illustrated.

Figure 13 shows the fastener 202 rotated. The cam mechanism 210 has been rotated at an angle β so that the cam 250 rotates the fastener 202 and the disc 110 at an angle β around the azimuth axis 400. The angle a illustrated is around 90 degrees and the angle β is less than about 10 degrees. A radius of angle a to angle ß is greater than or equal to about 5, 10, 20, or 30. The angle ß can be less than or equal to 5 degrees, 10 degrees, 20 degrees, 30 degrees, or 40 degrees, or margins spanning such angles. Cam 250 is suitable for fine adjustments of azimuth settings to accurately increase the peak signal.

The cam mechanism 210 of Figure 13 can be turned clockwise to return the fastener 202 to the initial position. Figure 14 shows the fastener 202 after it has been returned to the initial position. The cam mechanism 210 of Figure 14 can be rotated in a clockwise direction, as indicated by an arrow 351, to rotate the fastener 202 about the azimuth axis 400 in the clockwise direction. Figure 15 shows the fastener 202 after the cam mechanism 210 of Figure 14 has been rotated clockwise about 90 degrees. In this way, the cam 250 can be rotated about 180 degrees with respect to the axis 240 to rotate the disk 110 at an angle of about 5 degrees, 10 degrees, 15 degrees, 20 degrees, or margins spanning such angles.

The antenna systems described herein may experience different types of load, including wind loading. The wind load occurs when the air pushes the antenna system and can cause the disk 110 to become misaligned. The adjustment mechanism 160 can be accessed and conveniently operated to return the directional disk 110 to the desired position. In addition, the clamp 200 can be quickly relocated with respect to the post 130 to ensure that the cam 250 is properly positioned in the window 235. The clamp 200 can slide on and off the post 130 any number of times to ensure proper positioning.

The clamp 200, in some embodiments, extends over less than about 40%, 30%, 25%, or 20% of the fastener 202. The contact interference between the clamp 200 and the fastener 202 can be relatively low to prevent wear along the majority of the fastener 202. The clamp 200 can also be made of a material that does not facilitate corrosion of the fastener 202. Additionally, several portions of the cam mechanism 210 can be conveniently observed during the operation to monitor the operation.

Figures 16-18 depict modalities of components of an antenna system which may be generally similar to the modes discussed in conjunction with Figures 1-15, except as further detailed in the following. Many components of antenna systems are removed.

Figures 16 and 17 show a clamp 410 having an elongated main body 412 extending through an upper end 416 of a post 420. Figure 17 shows the half of a fastener 421. The retainers 430, 432 of the clamp 410 are attached to portions 440, 442 of opposite edges of the upper end 416. The edge portions 440, 442 are diametrically opposed to each other. The pair of retainers 430, 432 may cooperate to reduce or substantially eliminate the displacement of the clamp 410 along the upper end 416. The clamp 410 can therefore remain fixedly coupled to the post 420 during the operation of the cam adjustment mechanisms. A portion 460 of the main body 412 extends outwardly from the upper end 416 and can maintain a cam mechanism 490. At least a portion of a cam 492 of the cam mechanism 490 extends laterally outwardly from the clamp 410.

The clamps described herein may have other forms. For example, Figure 18 shows an elongated clamp 500 tapering inward toward an aperture 510 to receive an axis of a cam mechanism. Other forms and configurations are also possible, if needed or desired.

In some embodiments, a method for placing disk antennas described herein includes providing a disk antenna, a pole, and a positioning apparatus coupled to the disk antenna. The disk antenna includes a disk and a feed horn. The positioning apparatus includes a cam holder and an eccentric cam. An upper end of the post is placed in a cam holder retainer so that a cantilevered main body of the cam holder extends outwardly from the upper end and carries the eccentric cam. The eccentric cam is used to move the disk antenna while the cam holder is fixedly attached to the pole. A user, in some embodiments, can manually rotate a portion projecting out of the cam to rotate the disk antenna for fine tuning. Unless the context requires otherwise, in all the specifications and claims that follow, the word "comprises" and variations thereof, such as "comprise" and "comprising", must be interpreted in an open, inclusive sense, which is as "including, but not limited to." It should be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It should also be noted that the term "or" is generally used in its sense that includes "and / or" unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

It will be appreciated that the illustrated modes can be located or oriented in a variety of desired positions, including various angles, laterally and even the other way round. The antenna systems can be installed in a wide range of different locations and orientations. The adjustment mechanisms can be incorporated in a wide range of different types of mobile devices and used to move different components to modify different settings, for example, antenna elevation adjustments. The clamps can be mounted on vertical poles, horizontal poles, or other structures in other orientations and therefore used for elevation adjustments, azimuth adjustments, or both. The location and orientation of the openings, as well as other components of the adjustment mechanisms, can be selected based on the design of the antenna.

Various methods and techniques described above provide a number of ways to perform the invention. There is an exchange capacity of several features of different modalities described herein. Similarly, the various features and acts described above, as well as other known equivalents for each of such features or acts, can be mixed and combined by one of ordinary skill in the art to perform methods in accordance with the principles described herein. Additionally, the methods that are described and illustrated herein, such as installation methods, positioning, tuning, and the like, are not limited to the exact sequence of acts described, nor are they necessarily limited to the practice of all of the acts established. Other sequences of events or acts, or less than all events, or simultaneous occurrence of events, can be used to practice the embodiments of the invention.

Although the invention has been described in the context of certain embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the invention extends beyond the specifically described modalities to other alternative modalities and / or obvious and equivalent uses and modifications of the same. Accordingly, the invention is not intended to be limited, except for the appended claims.

Claims

1. An antenna apparatus, characterized in that it comprises: A disc; a feeding horn; a post; an eccentric cam; a clamp pivotably coupled to the eccentric cam and fixedly coupled to a portion of the post; Y a fastener rotatably coupled to the post and adapted to engage the eccentric cam, the fastener is placed under the clamp and engages to support the disc.

2. The apparatus in accordance with the claim 1, characterized in that the clamp portion extends radially outwardly from the post and has a longitudinal length, wherein most of the longitudinal length of the portion is placed between the post and an eccentric cam shaft.

3. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamp, eccentric cam, and fastener cooperate to rotate the disk at a first angle about the first axis of rotation as the eccentric cam rotates at a second angle around the second axis of rotation, and the first angle is less than the second angle or a radius of the second angle at the first angle is greater than about 5.

4. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamp has a one-piece construction and comprises the majority of a non-metallic material.

5. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that an axis of the eccentric cam is rotatably coupled to a free end of the clamp.

6. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamp has a first tongue and a second tongue positioned on an inner side and an outer side, respectively, of a tubular side wall of the post to form an interference fit with the post.

7. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamp is coupled to the post in a cantilevered manner.

8. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the disk rotates about an azimuthal axis as the eccentric cam rotates eccentrically about an axis of rotation that is substantially parallel to the azimuth axis.

9. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fastener includes an edge defining a window below the clamp, the edge engages the eccentric cam as the eccentric cam moves the fastener with respect to the post.

10. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamp maintains an axis of the eccentric cam for translationally fixing the shaft with respect to the post as the axis rotates with respect to the clamp.

11. A positioning apparatus, characterized in that it comprises: A fastener assembly that includes a pole mounting fastener and a disk mounting fastener; a cam mechanism that physically couples the fastener assembly to move the fastener assembly about an axis of rotation to position a disk as the cam mechanism rotates about a cam rotation axis; Y A pole clamp pivotably coupled to the cam mechanism, the pole clamp has a retainer adapted to receive and securely engage an upper edge of a post to generally secure the cam rotation shaft with respect to the post.

12. The positioning apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that the cam mechanism includes a cam and a translationally fixed ee, the cam is configured to physically couple a cam pusher of the post mounting bracket and the connecting shaft of the cam. pivoting way the cam to the pole clamp.

13. The positioning apparatus according to any of claims 11 and 12, characterized in that the pole clamp further comprises an elongated main body having a first end rotatably engageable to the cam mechanism and a second end fixedly coupled to the edge top of the pole.

14. The positioning apparatus according to any of claims 11 and 12, characterized in that the retainer is an arched retainer adapted to slidably receive an edge of a tubular post.

15. An antenna system, characterized in that it comprises: A disk antenna that includes a disk and a feed horn placed to communicate with the disk; a post that has a top edge portion; and an azimuth adjustment mechanism adapted to move the disk antenna with respect to an azimuthal axis, the azimuth adjustment mechanism includes: A clamp fixedly coupled to a section of the upper edge portion of the post, the clamp projects radially outwardly from the post, a cam mechanism rotatably coupled to the clamp, and a fastener rotatably coupled to the post and coupled to the cam mechanism and to the disk antenna, the fastener and the disk antenna are coupled to rotate with respect to the azimuth axis as the cam mechanism rotates.